Criminal records in Chippewa County, Michigan, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the County Clerk's office. ChippewaMICourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The 50th Circuit Court, the 91st District Court, and the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office also serve as access points for criminal record inquiries.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chippewa
There are several ways to search criminal records in Chippewa County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need an official copy or just want to look up case details.
Online Search Options
- ChippewaMICourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information in Chippewa County.
- MiCOURT Case Search — Michigan's statewide court case search portal. You can look up cases from the Chippewa Circuit Court, Chippewa Probate Court, and Chippewa Juvenile Division. Some courts only display case numbers and conviction information. Results are informational and do not replace official court records.
- Michigan Courts Case Search — An additional statewide portal provided by the Michigan Supreme Court for searching cases, opinions, and orders.
- Michigan State Police ICHAT — The Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) searches public criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. This is the state's official criminal history repository.
- MDOC Offender Search (OTIS) — Search for individuals currently or formerly in the custody of the Michigan Department of Corrections. This tool does not cover county jail inmates.
- Michigan Sex Offender Registry — Search for registered sex offenders by name, zip code, or county.
In Person
- Visit the Chippewa County Clerk's office at 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The Clerk maintains criminal and civil files for the 50th Circuit Court, and the majority of these records are open to the public.
- The 91st District Court offers a public access computer for searching local court records during normal business hours.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Chippewa County Clerk's office for copies of criminal case documents from the 50th Circuit Court.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request through Michigan State Police ICHAT online, or contact the Criminal Justice Information Center by mail.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known — allows direct lookup)
- Court type (Circuit Court for felonies, District Court for misdemeanors)
Search Chippewa Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can look up a case directly through the MiCOURT Case Search portal or at the Clerk's office. Michigan uses a standardized case number format across its trial courts.
Michigan Case Number Format
A typical Michigan case number looks like this: 24-XXXXXX-FH
- 24 — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XXXXXX — A sequential filing number assigned by the court
- FH — A two-letter suffix indicating the case type
Common Criminal Case Type Suffixes
| Suffix | Case Type |
|---|---|
| FH | Felony (Circuit Court) |
| FY | Felony — high severity |
| SM | Misdemeanor (District Court) |
| SD | Drunk driving offense |
| AR | Arraignment |
When searching by case number, enter the full number including the suffix. Circuit Court felony cases in Chippewa County are filed under the 50th Circuit Court. Misdemeanor and traffic offenses are handled by the 91st District Court.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chippewa
Criminal case records in Chippewa County contain several data points. Here is what each one means.
Charges
- Statute code — The Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) section the defendant is charged under (e.g., MCL 750.110a for home invasion).
- Severity — Felonies are handled by the 50th Circuit Court; misdemeanors and infractions are handled by the 91st District Court.
- Amended charges — Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations. The original and amended charges both typically appear in the record.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is open and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Case is currently being processed by the court |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All proceedings and obligations are complete |
Hearing Types
| Hearing | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Arraignment | Defendant is formally charged and enters an initial plea |
| Preliminary hearing | Judge determines if enough evidence exists for a felony to proceed to Circuit Court |
| Pre-trial | Attorneys discuss potential plea agreements and case management issues |
| Sentencing | Judge imposes punishment after a conviction or guilty plea |
| Review | Court checks on probation compliance, payment status, or other conditions |
You can view upcoming hearing dates through the 91st District Court docket or the 50th Circuit Court docket available on the county website.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was found guilty or pleaded guilty |
| Not guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the prosecutor or court |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecutor chose not to pursue the case |
| Acquitted | Defendant found not guilty after trial |
| Deferred/delayed sentence | Sentencing is postponed; charges may be dismissed upon completion of conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chippewa
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. In Chippewa County, the process depends on which court handled the case.
50th Circuit Court Records
The Chippewa County Clerk's office maintains criminal files for the 50th Circuit Court. You can request certified copies in person, by mail, or through the Clerk's online request process.
Chippewa County Clerk
91st District Court Records
For misdemeanor cases, contact the 91st District Court directly.
91st District Court
What You Need
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number (if known)
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
Statewide Criminal History Records
For a formal criminal history report, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. ICHAT searches public criminal history records statewide and can be accessed online.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chippewa
Fees for criminal record copies in Michigan are governed by MCL 600.1988 and local court fee schedules. The following are standard fees applicable in Chippewa County.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $10.00 |
| ICHAT criminal history search (online) | $10.00 |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the file.
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing.
- ICHAT online search — Results are typically available immediately after payment.
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Chippewa County Clerk's office or the relevant court to confirm current amounts before submitting a request. According to Michigan Courts records management guidelines, electronic court records available through public portals are limited to case numbers, party names, and basic case information. Full file contents may require an in-person visit or a formal records request.